Creole Cornbread Stuffing (Emeril's)

Saw this on Good Morning America. I decided immediately it had to be a last minute addition to our Thanksgiving menu. My 22 year old son was thrilled to have it assigned to him ("instead of a sissy salad"). He breezed through making it and we all thought it was so good it had to have a permanent place on our Thanksgiving menu. Highly recommended (although it may be a tad spicy for some -- if you are timid about spices, go easy on them).

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 12  cups  baked basic  cornbread (we like the recipe from the Alber's Cornbread box, broken into 1-inch pieces, we recommend baking th)
• 1⁄2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4  cups  chicken stock (canned or fresh)
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 1  cup milk
• 2  large eggs
• 1  tablespoon  Emeril's Original Essence, plus
• 1  teaspoon  Emeril's Original Essence (divided)
• 1  lb andouille sausage, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces (or other smoked sausage)
• 3  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 3  cups  chopped yellow onions
• 2  cups  chopped celery
• 2  cups  chopped green bell peppers
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 2  tablespoons  minced garlic
• 4  teaspoons  finely chopped fresh thyme

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F Grease a 10x15-inch baking dish or two 9-inch square baking dishes with the butter.
2. Combine the chicken stock, cream, milk, eggs and 1 tablespoons Essence in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Add the dried cornbread and stir to mix, breaking up the pieces with a wooden spoon. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet or medium pot over high heat. Add the andouille and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the vegetable oil and reduce the heat to medium high. Add the onions, celery, bell peppers, remaining 2 teaspoons Essence, the salt, black pepper, and cayenne; stir to mix.
5. Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and add to the cornbread mixture. Stir to mix well.
6. Pour into the prepared baking dish(es) and bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven. Serve warm.